Combination ring and key



F. c. MONTUORI 1,743,563

Jan. 14, 1930.

COMBINATION RING AND KEY Filed Jan. 14, 1928 Fig.

Patented Jan. 14, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINATION RING ANDKEY Application filed January 14, 1928. Serial No. 246,883.

The invention relates to a combined ring and key device in which thebezel of the ring constitutes a key retaining member. The inventionrelates more particularly to such a device which may be worn at alltimes by the owner of an automobile so that the key for releasing theignition or other automobile lock is constantly at hand and availablefor use.

The invention contemplates as an impor tant object the provision of anornamental or seal ring on which the monogram or fraternal insignia ofthe wearer is or may bepresent. The key device is normally housed withinthe ring and is removably secured thereto to permit the removal andinsertion when desired of various keys. Once a key has been inserted itis usually carried indefinitely and will remain in use as long as theowner operates an automobile having a particular lock which the key hasbeen constructed to operate. A further object of the invention is toprovide a device of the character described in which the key is movablymounted on the ring and may be projected therefrom in order to be usedfor opening a lock. When not in use the key is moved to a retractedposition in which it will lie substantially flush with the ring so asnot to catch in the clothing or pockets of the wearer.

The key is preferably maintained in either a projected or retractedposition by means of a suitable spring constructed and applied in anyconvenient manner.

The body of the ring is recessed so as to provide a channel for'thereception of the key when not in use.

A device of this character is particularly useful in connection withautomobile ignition systems or steering gear and transmission locks.

With such objects in view, as well as other advantages which may beincident to the use of the improvements, the invention consists in theparts and combinations thereof here inafter set forth and claimed, withthe understanding that the several necessary elements constituting thesame may be varied in proportions and arrangement without departing fromthe nature and scope of the invention.

In order to make the invention more clearly understood there are shownin the accompanying drawings means for carrying the same into practicalefi'ect,,without limiting the improvements, in their usefulapplications, to the particular constructions which, for the purpose ofexplanation, have been made the subject of illustration. In the saiddrawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a preferredembodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on line 22 of Fig. 1. 1

Fig. 3 is a similar sectional view on line 33 of Fig. 2. t

Fig. 4 is a transverse section on line 44 of Fig. 3. Y 7 I Referring tothe drawings, the ring member is indicated at 1 and preferably consistsof a heavy finger ring of the wellknown seal or signettype. The bezel ofthe ring is shown at 2 and, in the embodiment illustrated, is ofrectangular shape and providedjwith a longitudinal recess 3 extendingfor the entire length of the bezel portion 2. A key 4 of substantiallythe same dimensions and thickness of the recess 3 is normally housedwithin said recess, and at one end is pivoted or provided with trunnions5 movably holding the key in the recess. The construction andarrangement is such that when in inoperative positionthe key lies flatwithin the recess 3 substantially flush with the top of the re cess, andwhen in operative position the key is swungon its pivotal mounting intoa vertical position as shown in dotted lines in Figs. land 3. Ifdesired, the free end of the key may project very slightly past the endof the bezel portion 2 of the ring to facilitate its being grasped andmoved into operative position. As illustrated the end of the bezelportion is slightly grooved at 6 to admit the fingernail for the purposedescribed, inwhich instance the end ofthe key may be flush with the endof thering. The key is further provided'with the usual wards 7 on itsfree end for registry with the particular ignition or othler lock whichthe key is designed to contro 1111 the embodiment illustrated the keymember is provided with the usual lateral lugs or projections 6 to limitthe inward movement of the key in the lock, which projections are housedin properly located oflset portions of the recess 3 in the bezel.

A leaf spring member 8 is provided to bear against the key 4; toyieldingly, maintain sai key Within thereeess-53 and righfiposition whenthe key has been move to the latter operative position. The leaf springis soldered or seeqired within aeut-out porti'ohQ of the bezel and thebezelportion is further cut away as at 10 to permit movement 'of thefree end of the spring when. the member is moved to projected orretracted position. h p nea h w wn 1vi. lw me dw applied in any 1 53 filit It will be seem that ;when ths key 1s.- efv ng flat in the recess,the: fireer'endiot thesprmg 8 m onflaetingrwith llefkeyma/intainsthalatten in its-depressedpesitiom, When, the key is movedor; swung upwardly the; squared: cox? 1181:111 at the; samemqvesdownwardly in an.- arc and the free end of the spring yieldstq 2o prmitthis mevementz- (Mm-1 men; t keyhQSrbQQBrllftQd-JQ-UBRlghlTOROPBBBt}VQ}PQ- sitionthe; free end; eitthexSfiliing, WhlQh remains in contact with the key member, rests ag instmheq aredrendwihek yw r pi ingly maintains thela'tter in vertioal pnsis mved-to; upright on openatimjpesitian; the: user merely inserts?thesam'ezin they-ignition: o he ocki tq the: meekanism and s thmeaiteirr um ffllekayito' noa al,inopem:

iy posi iemlwibhzweimsult haadwda ieflnows' resembles-meldean. omamenmlor. sea ring-1. The stl'llflfi re is? smh' hab: time we.-

o. pmiaetismslikely'fo engagwmmh imthw we clo hing '01: at the: mamaThei mmntnm nrtherf' mtwnplatas pmflqimraf a: combmedmng anilikoy619K095 m Wihmhi'thee key-1 slamming tigldlyf qstha faceofcthesning..but:isslightlmele atedr eattol to: be innatsdiby m 15011- wardtirebfliyy new the 'Ini latten'ihsmiceythasezlqchsamfof time relaxed:ubular? cliamtenandi. trampling projected out of their retaining recesswhen! w. thetumi d enr mechanism: has: limiemlelsadrlly engagement withthe Wards on the end of the key. When locks of the latter describedcharacter are used, it is not necessary to pivotally mount the key uponthe face of the ring.

What I claim is:

1. A finger ring having a key pivotally 2; A ngerring comprising a bezelportion havin aslot or recess formed therein, a key pivota ly mounted atone end in said recess and ada edto bemoved to and front aposition, proecting from thering andthereeess ill-Which said key lies, and aleafspring secured to thebezel of the ring for-engaging \vithsaid key forieldingly maintaining; said key ina projected and; retracted position..j 3;. Afinger ring havinggabezel portion and a recesstherein, a keypivotally' mounted at one end on the bezel portion and foldable intosaid recess, anda separate spring member-securedindie-bottomof-saidreeessandihaving its f-neeend engaging said toyielding lcy maintain -thersame, in retracted, and projected EQSltlDILJvj In testimony wheneotIafiix-my signature;

" FELIX MQNTIJQRL.

